Cats, Dogs Top Comeback List

If I Were an Animal by Fleur Cowles, with a forward by Prince Philip (Morrow: $14.95).

Artist and socialite Fleur Cowles, former editor of Flair magazine, which has been defunct for some years now, has produced an amusing “fun” book. It might be used to spark a friendly gathering for some lighthearted psychoanalysis and in support of the World Wildlife Fund (because part of the book’s sales are earmarked for this cause).

Cowles, whose friends number among the world’s most glittering rich and famous, asks 100 of them: “What would you choose to be if you could be reincarnated as an animal?”

Felines came in first. Writer Helen Gurley Brown wants to be reincarnated as a Siamese cat “who is adored, cosseted, catered to and utterly spoiled.” Elizabeth Taylor, with her famous violet eyes--chooses to return as a “jungle cat.” Jackie Collins, who knows a thing or two of the Hollywood jungle, opts for--what else?--a leopard, while fashion designer Bill Blass identifies with the extremely rare snow leopard.

Dogs rank second. Romance-writer Barbara Cartland thinks returning in the body of her white Pekingese Twi-Twi would be heavenly. Jimmy Stewart would like to be reincarnated as a “great big dog,” living in the bosom of an indulgent family that believes in house privileges and frequent walks.

As for other performers, Deborah Kerr, who has a hideaway in Spain, admires the “exotic and unusual” hoopoe bird; Olivia de Havilland seems content with her own personality and settles on a dove, while Beverly Sills, in a stretch of the imagination, chooses the giraffe. She reflects in a little poem: “I would hold a high note/and watch jealous birds take wing!”

The endangered elephant is chosen by Charles de Haes, director general of the World Wildlife Fund, because “it doesn’t abuse its power.” And the kudu, a “rare and uniquely handsome antelope,” is the reincarnation choice of S. L. Edu of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation.

Finally, Prince Philip of Britain, whose forward to this strange species of anthology, written on Buckingham Palace stationery, laments the near extinction of a great many animals caused by population explosion and human depredation. He suggests revenge: “I must confess that I am tempted to ask for reincarnation as a particularly deadly virus, but that is perhaps going too far.”